Methods and systems for a display interface for diagnostic medical imaging

ABSTRACT

An ultrasound imaging system and method is provided that includes an ultrasound probe configured to acquire ultrasound data for a region of interest and a controller circuit communicatively coupled to the ultrasound probe configured to generate one or more ultrasound images from the ultrasound data. The ultrasound imaging system and method further provide a curved housing shaped to extend along a curvature angle, the curved housing includes a front panel having a curved touchscreen having at least a first interface section, a second interface section, and a third interface section formed integral with one another. The first interface section and the third interface section are positioned at different display angles with respect to each other. The first interface section is also configured to display one or more ultrasound images, and the third interface section includes one or more user selectable icons to control the ultrasound probe.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/659,752, entitled, “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A DISPLAY INTERFACE FORDIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL IMAGING”, filed Mar. 17, 2015, which is hereinincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments described herein generally relate to display interfaces fordiagnostic medical imaging, and more particularly to a display interfacefor an ultrasound system.

Diagnostic medical imaging systems typically include a scan portion anda control portion having a display. For example, ultrasound imagingsystems usually include ultrasound scanning devices, such as ultrasoundprobes having transducers that are connected to an ultrasound system tocontrol the acquisition of ultrasound data by performing variousultrasound scans (e.g., imaging the volume or body).

Settings and/or configurations of the ultrasound system is controlled bya clinician using a user interface 110. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspectiveview of a conventional ultrasound system 100. In the conventionalultrasound systems 100, the user interface 110 is divided into threedistinct elements a flat screen or display 104, a separate touchscreen106, and an operating panel 108 conventionally mounted to a cart 102.For example, the flat screen 104 displays one or more ultrasound imagesacquired by the ultrasound system 100. Additionally, the flat screen 104may include a graphical user interface (GUI) that is used in connectionwith the operating panel 108. The touchscreen 106 is used by the user orclinician to configure or adjust settings of one or more ultrasoundscanning devices. The operating panel 108 includes physical buttons anda trackball used to interface with the GUI of the flat screen display104.

However, by having separate elements for the user interface 110 the sizeand weight of the conventional ultrasound system 100 is increasedhindering the portability of the conventional ultrasound system.Additionally, for example, the size attributed to the user interfaceelements limits the ability for clinicians to adjust and/or customizerelative positions of the elements. Further, separate user interfaceelements increase the amount of surface area needed to clean and/orsterilize the user interface. For these and other reasons, an improveddisplay interface is needed for diagnostic medical imaging.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system is provided thatincludes an ultrasound probe configured to acquire ultrasound data for aregion of interest and a controller circuit communicatively coupled tothe ultrasound probe configured to generate one or more ultrasoundimages from the ultrasound data. The system further provides a curvedhousing shaped to extend along a curvature angle. The curved housingincludes a front panel having a curved touchscreen having at least afirst interface section, a second interface section, and a thirdinterface section formed integral with one another. The first interfacesection and the third interface section are positioned at differentdisplay angles with respect to each other. The first interface sectionis also configured to display one or more ultrasound images, and thethird interface section includes one or more user selectable icons tocontrol the ultrasound probe.

In another embodiment, a portable ultrasound imaging system is providedthat includes an ultrasound probe configured to acquire ultrasound datafor a region of interest and a controller circuit communicativelycoupled to the ultrasound probe configured to generate one or moreultrasound images from the ultrasound data. The system further includesa movable cart having a plurality of wheels. The portable ultrasoundimaging system also includes a curved housing shaped to extend along acurvature angle. The curved housing includes a front panel having acurved touchscreen having at least a first interface section, a secondinterface section, and a third interface section formed integral withone another. The first interface section and the third interface sectionare positioned at different display angles with respect to each other.The first interface section is also configured to display one or moreultrasound images, and the third interface section includes one or moreuser selectable icons to control the ultrasound probe. The portableultrasound imaging system also includes an arm mount coupled to thecurved touchscreen and the movable cart. The arm mount is configured toadjust a vertical position and a rotational position of the curvedtouchscreen with respect to the movable cart.

In another embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system is provided thatincludes an ultrasound probe configured to acquire ultrasound data for aregion of interest and a controller circuit communicatively coupled tothe ultrasound probe configured to generate one or more ultrasoundimages from the ultrasound data. The system also includes an examinationchair having a support rail positioned around the head portion of theexamination chair. The ultrasound imaging system also includes a curvedhousing shaped to extend along a curvature angle. The curved housingincludes a front panel having a curved touchscreen having at least afirst interface section, a second interface section, and a thirdinterface section formed integral with one another. The first interfacesection and the third interface section are positioned at differentdisplay angles with respect to each other. The first interface sectionis also configured to display one or more ultrasound images, and thethird interface section includes one or more user selectable icons tocontrol the ultrasound probe. The ultrasound imaging system alsoincludes an arm mount coupled to the curved touchscreen and the supportrail of the examination chair. The arm mount is traversable along thesupport rail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a conventional ultrasoundsystem.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an ultrasound imaging system,in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a lateral schematic view of the curved housing of theultrasound imaging system shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 4A illustrates a lateral view of a curved touchscreen of theultrasound imaging system shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 4B illustrates the lateral view of the curved touchscreen of FIG.4A at a different eye position, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a proximate view of the curved touchscreen of theultrasound imaging system shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a lateral perspective view of the curved touchscreenshown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an ultrasound imaging system,in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative view of the ultrasound imaging systemshown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a simplified block diagram of an ultrasoundimaging system, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a simplified block diagram of a controllercircuit of the ultrasound imaging system of FIG. 9, in accordance withan embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a method for initiating a select ultrasoundexamination procedure using an ultrasound imaging system, in accordancewith an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description of certain embodiments will be betterunderstood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. To theextent that the figures illustrate diagrams of the functional modules ofvarious embodiments, the functional blocks are not necessarilyindicative of the division between hardware circuitry. Thus, forexample, one or more of the functional blocks (e.g., processors ormemories) may be implemented in a single piece of hardware (e.g., ageneral purpose signal processor or a block of random access memory,hard disk, or the like). Similarly, the programs may be stand-aloneprograms, may be incorporated as subroutines in an operating system, maybe functions in an installed software package, and the like. It shouldbe understood that the various embodiments are not limited to thearrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceededwith the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding pluralof said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated.Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention arenot intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additionalembodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unlessexplicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having”an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property mayinclude additional elements not having that property.

Various embodiments provide systems and methods for display interfacesfor diagnostic medical imaging, and more particularly to ultrasoundimaging systems using a curved touchscreen. The curved touchscreencombines user interface elements corresponding to a flat screen forviewing ultrasound images, an operating panel, and graphical userinterface. The curved touchscreen further allows a digital heightadjustment of the image with an eye tracking module. The eye trackingmodule may include an image acquisition unit such as a camera (e.g., adigital camera), an image sensor (e.g., a charge-coupled device (CCD)image sensor, a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor sensor, activepixel sensor, analog image sensor, a backside illumination sensor), orthe like. The eye tracking module may be configured to optimize aposition of one or more graphical user interfaces displayed on thecurved touchscreen for a vertical position of the user or an eye heightof the user.

Additionally or alternatively, the curved touchscreen may further becoupled to an arm mount. The arm mount is configured to adjust avertical position and a rotational position (e.g., swivel) of the curvedtouchscreen. Optionally, the arm mount may include a first trigger and asecond trigger. For example, the curved touchscreen may be adjusted inthe vertical position when the first trigger is activated. In anotherexample, the curved touchscreen may be adjusted in the rotationalposition (e.g., swivel) when the second trigger is activated.

Additionally or alternatively, the curvature of the curved touchscreen,such as a curvature angle, may be adjusted to avoid light reflection onthe surface. For example, the curved touchscreen may be flexibleallowing a user (e.g., clinician, echographer, doctor, nurse) to reduceand/or increase the curvature angle of the curved touchscreen.

A technical effect of at least one embodiment includes improved abilityto sterilize and/or clean the user interface. A technical effect of atleast one embodiment includes better user position during review ofacquired and/or previously acquired ultrasound images. A technicaleffect of at least one embodiment includes reduction in the size,weight, and/or number of parts comparable to conventional ultrasoundimaging systems. A technical effect of at least one embodiment includesincreased mobility relative to conventional ultrasound imaging systems.A technical effect of at least one embodiment includes allowing a userto perform multiple ultrasound examinations corresponding to multiplepatient positions within one ultrasound imaging system.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an ultrasound imaging system200 in accordance with various embodiments described herein. Theultrasound imaging system 200 includes a curved housing 203 that extendsalong a non-zero, non-orthogonal curvature angle. The curved housing 203includes a front panel 205 having a curved touchscreen 202. The curvedtouchscreen 202 includes at least a first interface section 204, asecond interface section 206, and a third interface section 208 that areformed integral with one another. For example, the first interfacesection 204, the second interface section 206, and the third interfacesection 208 are molded integral with one another to enable enclosurewithin the curved housing 203 on a curved touchscreen 202.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of the curved housing 203, inaccordance with various embodiments described herein. The curved housing203 includes a back surface 302, an upper end 304, a lower end 306, andthe front panel 205. The curved housing 302 forms and extends along acurvature angle 330 based on the upper end 304 relative to the lower end306. For example, the upper end 304 extends and/or is parallel to alongitudinal plane 308. The lower end 306 extends and/or is parallel toa latitude plane 310. The curvature angle 330, formed with respect tothe longitudinal plane 308 and the latitude claim 310, may represent anobtuse angle.

In at least one embodiment, the curved housing 203 may be configured tobe flexible allowing a user to adjust a position of the upper end 304and/or the lower end 306 thereby adjusting the curvature angle 330 ofthe curved housing 203. For example, a user may reduce the curvatureangle 330 by pulling and/or applying force to the back surface 302proximate to either or both of the upper end 304 and/or the lower end306 pivoting at or about the second interface section 206. In anotherexample, the user may increase the curvature angle 330 by pushing and/orapplying force to the front panel 205 proximate to either or both of theupper and 304 and/or the lower end 306 pivoting at or about the secondinterface section 206.

The front panel 205 includes the curved touchscreen 202. The curvedtouchscreen 202 may comprise one or more displays 312, one or moresensor substrates 314, and one or more cover glasses 316. The display312 may be a liquid crystal display (e.g., light emitting diode (LED)backlight), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, or the like.Each display 312 of the curved touchscreen 202 shown in FIG. 3corresponds to one of the interface sections (e.g., the first interfacesection 204, the second interface section 206, the third interfacesection 208). It should be noted that although multiple displays 312 areshown, in various other embodiments the curved touchscreen 202 may havea single display 312, two displays 312, and/or the like. For example, asingle display 312 may correspond to the first interface section 204,the second interface section 206, and the third interface section 208.In another example, a single display 312 may correspond to two interfacesections (e.g., the first interface section 204 and the second interfacesection 206, the second interface section 206 and the third interfacesection 208) and a second display 312 may correspond to a singleinterface section (e.g., the first interface section 204, the thirdinterface section 208).

The cover glass 316 may be comprised of a transparent plastic, sapphireglass, silica, and/or the like. In various embodiments, the curvedtouchscreen 202 may have a cover-glass 316 that provides a continuousglass surface area (e.g., no cracks or sealing lines between and/orwithin the interface sections 204-208). For example, the cover glass 316provides a single surface area that is overlaid over each of theinterface sections 204-208 along the front panel 205. Additionally oralternatively, the curved touchscreen 202 may have more than one coverclass 316 overlaid along the front panel 205. For example, a first coverglass may correspond to the first interface section 204, and a secondcover glass may correspond to the third interface section 208. Thesensor substrate 314 may be comprised of a transparent and/or opticallytransparent conducting surface, such as indium tin oxide (ITO), a metalmesh (e.g., a silver nano-tube mesh, a carbon mesh, graphene mesh),and/or the like. The sensor substrate 314 may be configured as an arrayof electrically distinct rows and columns of electrodes that extendthrough the first interface section 204, the second interface section206, and the third interface section 208. Additionally or alternatively,the curved touchscreen 202 may have more than one sensor substrate 314corresponding to a single interface section or two interface sections.For example, a first sensor substrate may extend through the firstinterface section 204, and a second sensor substrate may extend throughthe third interface section 208. In another example, a first sensorsubstrate may extend through the first and second interface sections204, 206, and a second sensor substrate may extend through the thirdinterface section 208.

The sensor substrate 314 may be coupled to a touchscreen controllercircuit (not shown). A touchscreen controller circuit may includehardware, such as a processor, a controller, or other logic-baseddevices and/or a combination of hardware and software which is used todetermine a position on the curved touchscreen controller activatedand/or contacted by the user (e.g., finger(s) in contact with the coverglass 316 of the curved touchscreen 202). In various embodiments, thetouchscreen controller circuit may be a part of and/or integrated withthe controller circuit 936 (FIG. 9). The touchscreen controller maydetermine the position activated and/or contracted by the user bymeasuring a capacitance for each electrode (e.g., self-capacitance). Forexample, the touchscreen controller may transmit a current drive signalalong a single electrode and measure a capacitance along the singleelectrode. Additionally or alternatively, the touchscreen controller maymeasure a capacitance for each intersection of a row and columnelectrode (e.g., mutual capacitance). For example, the touchscreencontroller may transmit a current drive signal along a first electrode(e.g., a row electrode, a column electrode) and measure a mutualcapacitance from a second electrode (e.g., a column electrode, a rowelectrode).

Based on the measured capacitance, the touchscreen controller maydetermine whether a finger(s) from the user is in contact and/orproximate to the sensor substrate 314. For example, when thecapacitance, of the single electrode or intersection, is above apredetermined threshold the touchscreen controller may determine thatthe user is activating the corresponding single electrode orintersection. In another example, when the capacitance is below apredetermine threshold the touchscreen controller may determine that thesingle electrode or intersection is not activated.

Returning to FIG. 2, the curved housing 203 may be coupled and/ormounted to an arm mount 210. The arm mount 210 may be configured toadjust a vertical position, such as along a vertical arrow 222, and arotational position (e.g., rotation centered about a pivot point 220),such as along a rotational arrow 224, of the curved touchscreen 202.Additionally or alternatively, a tilt angle of the curved touchscreen202, along a tilt arrow 232, may be adjusted using the pivot point 220of the arm mount 202.

Optionally, the arm mount 210 may be coupled with a position handle 212that may include a first trigger 226 and a second trigger 228.Optionally, the first and second triggers 226 and 228 may include atactile button, a rotational lock, or the like. Each trigger 226 and228, when activated (e.g., compressing the tactile button, rotating thetrigger), may allow directional movement (e.g., along the vertical arrow222, along the rotational arrow 224) of the curved touchscreen 202enabled by the arm mount 210. In at least one embodiment, the positionhandle 212 may be used by the user to adjust a position of the curvedtouchscreen 202. For example, the user may adjust the vertical positionof the curved touchscreen 202 when the first trigger 226 is activated.In another example the user may adjust the rotational position of thecurved touchscreen 202 when the second trigger 228 is activated.

In various embodiments, the first interface section 204 and the thirdinterface section 208 are adjustable to be positioned at differentdisplay angles with respect to each other. For example, the firstinterface section 204 and the third interface section 208 may bepositioned to form a right angle with respect to each other. In anotherexample, the first interface section 204 and the third interface section208 may be positioned to form an obtuse angle with respect to eachother. It should be noted in various other embodiments that the secondinterface section 206 may be adjusted to be positioned at a differentdisplay angle with respect to the display angles of the first and thirdinterface sections 204, 208. Optionally, the second interface section206 may have approximately the same display angle with either the firstinterface section 204 or the third interface section 208.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate lateral views of the curved touchscreen 202.In connection with FIG. 4A, the display angle may be defined as a normalunit vector 402, 404 that extends perpendicular from the surface of thefirst and third interface sections 204 and 208, respectively. Forexample, the first interface section 204 has a first display anglecorresponding to the normal unit vector 402, and the third interface 208has a second display angle corresponding to the normal unit vector 404.Each of the normal unit vectors 402 and 404 correspond to and extend indifferent directions with respect to the user.

Additionally or alternatively, the display angle may be defined based onbiasing angles 408 and 410 and/or viewing angles 412 and 414 which arebased on the biasing angles 408 and 410, respectively. The biasingangles 408 and 410 may be a characteristic of the curved touchscreen 202and are offset from the normal unit vectors 402 and 404 respectively.For example, the biasing angle 408 is offset for a top view (e.g.,“12:00”) or above the normal unit vector 402. In another example, thebiasing angle 410 is offset for a bottom view (e.g., “6:00”) or belowthe normal unit vector 404. The biasing angles 408 and 410 correspond toa visual direction in which the first interface section 204 and thethird interface section 208, respectively, have a higher contrast ratio,a higher luminosity, a higher clarity, or the like with respect to othervisual directions. For example, the eye(s) 406 is positioned such thatthe eye(s) 406 has a visual direction aligned with the normal unitvector 402. The eye(s) 406 a, as shown in FIG. 4B, is positioned higherto the normal unit vector 402 relative to the eye(s) 406 as shown inFIG. 4A. The higher position of the eye(s) 406 a is such that the eye(s)406 a has a visual direction aligned with the biasing angle 408 and willthereby have a higher contrast ratio, a higher luminosity, a higherclarity, and/or the like relative to the eye(s) 406 as positioned inFIG. 4A.

The viewing angles 412 and 414 correspond to a degree or positions ofthe user, particularly the eye(s) 406 of the user, away from the biasingangles 408 and 410 at which the first and third interface sections 204and 208 can be viewed without noticeable degradation (e.g., when acontrast ratio decreases below a certain threshold, for example 2:1,5:1, 10:1, or when a luminance is below a certain threshold, for examplehalf of the maximum luminance). For example, the eye(s) 406 shown inFIG. 4 within the viewing angles 412 and 414 may be able to view thefirst and third interface sections 204 and 208 without noticeabledegradation. In another example, an eye(s) of the user having a viewingdirection within the viewing angle 414 but not within the viewing angle412 may be able to view the third interface section 208 withoutnoticeable degradation, but may view the first interface section 204with noticeable degradation.

Returning to FIG. 2, the curved touchscreen 202 may be coupled to amovable cart 214. The movable cart 214 may include a plurality of wheels216 enabling the movable cart 214 and the curved touchscreen 202 to bemobile. For example, the movable cart 214 may change positions orlocations within a room, be moved to an alternative room or buildingrelative to a present location of the movable cart 214, and the like.Additionally or alternatively, the curved touchscreen 202 may be coupledto a stationary cart. The stationary cart may be similar to the movablecart 214, however, the stationary cart may be in a static positionwithin a room. For example, the stationary cart may be mounted to a wallof the room, mounted to a bed of the patient, and/or the like.

FIG. 5 illustrates a proximate view of the curved touchscreen 202, inaccordance with an embodiment. The first interface section 204 may beconfigured to display one or more ultrasound images 502. Additionally oralternatively the first interface section 204 may display a graphicaluser interface (GUI) 508. The GUI 508 may include one or more userselectable icons 509, toolbars, pull down menus, and/or the like whichmay allow a user to perform editing functions, database functions,measuring functions, adjusting a view of the one or more ultrasoundimages (e.g., adjusting the resolution, adjusting a zoom), and/or thelike. For example, the GUI 508 of the first interface section 204 mayallow a user to select one or more features of a select ultrasound image(e.g., selecting from the one or more ultrasound images 502) to performmeasurements, to label (e.g., insert a flag or icon) one or morefeatures of the ultrasound image 502, perform diagnostics, and/or thelike. In another example, the GUI 508 of the first interface section 204may allow the user to perform filter functions (e.g., reduce noise) tothe ultrasound image 502, crop the ultrasound image 502, reposition theultrasound image 502 on the first interface section 204, and/or thelike. In another example, the GUI 508 of the first interface section 204may allow the user to save one or more of the ultrasound images 502 ontoa remote database, onto local memory, onto remote memory, and/or thelike.

In various embodiments, the curved touchscreen 202 may include an eyetracking module 904 (shown in FIG. 9). The eye tracking module 904 mayinclude hardware, such as a processor, a controller, or otherlogic-based devices and/or a combination of hardware and software whichis used to configure the eye tracking module 904 to adjust a verticalposition of the first interface section 204 on the curved touchscreen202 based on an eye height 602 of the user. The eye tracking module 904may comprise and/or be communicatively coupled to an image acquisitionunit 506 (e.g., a charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor, acomplementary metal-oxide-semiconductor sensor, active pixel sensor,analog image sensor, a backside illumination sensor). Optionally, theimage acquisition unit 506 may be embedded within the curved touchscreen202 as shown in FIG. 5. The image acquisition unit 506 may acquire oneor more images that include data and/or pixel information correspondingto one or more features of the eye(s) of the user. For example, the oneor more images may include data and/or pixel information correspondingto a pupil, a conical reflection, the iris, the lens, and/or the like.

Based on the one or more features of the eye, the eye tracking module904 may be configured to determine an eye height 602 of the user. Inconnection with FIG. 6, the eye height 602 may correspond to a positionof an eye 604 with respect to the image acquisition unit 506. FIG. 6illustrates a lateral perspective view of the curved touchscreen 202.The image acquisition unit 506 may be at a static predetermined positionwith respect to the curved touchscreen 202, such as at an upper portion608 of the curved touchscreen 202, allowing data and/or pixelinformation of the one or more images to correspond to approximately thesame location. It should be noted that in various other embodiments, theimage acquisition unit 506 may be positioned at various other locationssuch as on a side of the curved touchscreen 202, remotely from the curvetouchscreen display 202 (e.g., positioned on the movable cart 214), orthe like. Based on a location of the eye 604 in the one or more images,the eye tracking module 904 may determine the eye height 602corresponding to a vertical position of the eye 604 with respect to thecurved touchscreen 202.

The eye tracking module 904 may adjust a position of the first interfacesection 204 based on the eye height 604. In at least one embodiment, theeye tracking module 904 may adjust a vertical position of the firstinterface section 204 along an arrow 606 based on the eye height 604.For example, the eye tracking module 904 may lower or reduce thevertical position of the first interface section 204 when an eye heightis below the image acquisition unit 506 relative to an eye height 602that is above or approximately equal to a vertical position of the imageacquisition unit 506. In another example, the eye tracking module 904may increase the vertical position of the first interface section 204when the eye height 602 is above the image acquisition unit 506 relativeto an eye height that is below and/or parallel to a vertical position ofthe image acquisition unit 506.

Additionally or alternatively, the eye tracking module 904 may be usedto interface the eye 604 of the user with the one or more userselectable icons 509 of the GUI 508. For example, the eye trackingmodule 904 may determine a rotation of the eye 604, for example, basedon changes in corneal reflections of the eye 604. Based on the rotationof the eye 604 the eye tracking module 904 may determine a gaze location(e.g., a point of focus) of the eye 604 relative to a position on thefirst interface section 204. When the gaze location corresponds to aposition on the first interface section 204 that is associated with auser selectable icon, the eye tracking module 904 may instruct acontroller circuit 936 that the user selectable icon has been selected.

Returning to FIG. 5, the second interface section 206 may be positionedbetween the first interface section 204 and the third interface section208. The second interface section 206 may display a GUI 510 with one ormore user selectable icons 511 corresponding to one or more ultrasoundimaging examinations, diagnostic tools, imaging modalities, and/or thelike. For example, the user may select a user selectable iconcorresponding to an ultrasound elasticity imaging modality.

The third interface section 208 may display a GUI 504 with one or moreuser selectable icons 505 corresponding to one or more acquisitionsettings (e.g., initiating ultrasonic pulses, adjusting a sensitivity,adjusting the ultrasonic pulses, adjusting the dynamic range) of anultrasound probe 518 communicatively coupled to the ultrasound imagingsystem 200, freezing one or more ultrasound images shown on the firstinterface section 204, apply measurement functions (e.g., caliper),adjusting a view of the one or more ultrasound images shown on the firstinterface section 204 (e.g., adjusting the resolution, zooming in onareas of interest, adjusting amplification), and/or the like.

Additionally or alternatively, the one or more user selectable icons505, 509, 511 shown on the interface sections 208, 206, 204,respectively, may be reconfigured based on a user selection fromalternative interface sections 204, 206, 208. For example, the one ormore user selectable icons 511 shown on the second interface section 206may be reconfigured based from the one or more acquisition settings forthe ultrasound probe 518 selected from the user selectable icons 505 onthe third interface section 208.

In various embodiments, the curved touchscreen 202 may be coupled to aperipheral support structure 512. The peripheral support structure 512may be configured to hold one or more devices that are communicativelycoupled to and/or a part of the ultrasound imaging system 200. Forexample, the peripheral support structure 512 may be configured to holdthe ultrasound probe 518.

Optionally, the curved touchscreen 202 may be coupled to a retractablehook 514 configured to hold and/or support one or more cables 516connected to one or more devices that are communicatively coupled toand/or a part of the ultrasound imaging system 200. A position of theretractable hook 514 may be adjusted in an outward and inward positionalong the direction of an arrow 520. When the retractable hook 514 is inan inward position, the retractable hook 514 may be proximate to thecurved touchscreen 202 such that a view of the retractable hook 514 isblocked and/or obstructed by the curved touchscreen 202. When theretractable hook 514 is in an outward position, the retractable hook 514may be distal to the curved touchscreen 202 relative to the inwardposition such that a view of the retractable hook 514 is less obstructedby the curved touchscreen 22 relative to the inward position.Optionally, the retractable hook 514 may be configured to hold and/orsupport one or more cables 516 based on a position of the retractablehook 514. For example, when the retractable hook 514 is positioned inthe outward position, the retractable hook 514 may be configured to holdand/or support the one or more cables 516. In another example, when theretractable hook 514 is positioned in the inward position, theretractable hook 514 may be configured to not hold and/or support theone or more cables 516.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an ultrasound imaging system700, in accordance with one or more embodiments. The ultrasound imagingsystem 700 includes an examination chair 720. The examination chair 720may be comprised of a foam or expanded rubber, such as ethylene-vinylacetate (EVA), configured to retain an overall shape or form of one ormore portions of the examination chair 720 at varying positions. Theexamination chair 720 includes an adjustable backrest 722. Theadjustable backrest 722 may be configured to align a patient to a selectposition and/or posture for acquiring ultrasound images corresponding toa select ultrasound examination procedure. A technical effect of atleast one embodiment includes a flexibility for the user to adapt theultrasound imaging system 700 by adjusting a position of a patient forvarying ultrasound examinations (e.g., cardiovascular examination,obstetrics examination, gynaecology examination, general ultrasoundexamination, abdominal examination).

For example, during a cardiovascular examination, the adjustablebackrest 722 may drop or descend, traversing along an arrow 724, suchthat the examination chair 720 may be approximately parallel to theground plane 734. Thereby a patient is adjusted to a lying or supineposition for the cardiovascular examination. In another example, duringa gynaecology examination, the adjustable backrest 722 may lift orraise, traversing along the arrow 724, such that the adjustable backrest722 is further away from the ground plane 734 relative to the adjustablebackrest 722 during cardiovascular examination. Thereby the patient isadjusted to a sitting position for the gynaecology examination. Itshould be noted in at least one embodiment, the examination chair 720may include an adjustable leg rest 723 that may raise or lowercorresponding to a select ultrasound examination procedure.

The examination chair 720 may be coupled to a support body 726. Thesupport body 726 may include a base 728, which couples the examinationchair 720 to the support body 726. The support body 726 may beconfigured to adjust a position of the base 728 thereby adjusting avertical height of the examination chair 720 along an arrow 730. Atechnical effect of at least one embodiment includes better patientaccess to the examination chair 720. For example, when a patient isbeing loaded and/or unloaded onto the examination chair 720, the supportbody 726 may adjust a position of the examination chair 720 to a lowposition such that the examination chair 720 is more proximate to theground plane 734 and/or the support body 726 relative to a position ofthe examination chair 720 during the select ultrasound examinationprocedure. Additionally or alternatively, the support body 726 mayinclude a plurality of wheels (not shown). The plurality of wheels maybe configured to allow the ultrasound imaging system 700 to be mobile.For example, the ultrasound imaging system 700 may change positions orlocations within a room, be moved to an alternative room or buildingrelative to a present location of the ultrasound imaging system 700,and/or the like.

The ultrasound imaging system 700 may include a curved touchscreen 702which may be similar to and/or identical to the curved touchscreen 202shown in FIG. 2. For example, the curved touchscreen 702 may include afirst interface section 704, a second interface section 706, and a thirdinterface section 708. Optionally, a position of the examination chair720 (e.g., a position of the adjustable backrest in 722, a verticalposition of the examination chair 720, a position of the leg rest 723)may be adjusted based on instructions received via the curvedtouchscreen 702. For example, the user may select one or more userselectable icons 711 shown on the second interface section 706corresponding to a select ultrasound examination procedure. Based on theselect ultrasound examination procedure, the curved touchscreen 702 mayinstruct the support body 726 to adjust a position of the adjustablebackrest 722 corresponding to the select ultrasound examinationprocedure.

The curved touchscreen 702 may be coupled and/or mounted to an arm mount710. The arm mount 710 may be similar to and/or identical to the armmount 210 shown in FIG. 2. For example, the arm mount 710 may beconfigured to adjust a vertical position, a rotational position, and/ora tilt angle of the curved touchscreen 702. In another example, the armmount 710 shown in FIG. 7 includes a position handle 712 which may besimilar to and/or identical to the position handle 212 shown in FIG. 2.

The arm mount 710 is coupled to the examination chair 720 and the curvedhousing (e.g., 203) which includes the curved touchscreen 702. Aposition of the arm mount 710 is adjustable around the examination chair720. For example, the arm mount 710 is coupled to the curved touchscreen702 and a support rail 732 of the examination chair 720. The supportrail 732 is positioned around a head portion (e.g., the adjustablebackrest 722) of the examination chair 720. The arm mount 710 istraversable along the support rail 732. A technical effect of at leastone embodiment includes allowing the user to interface and/or use thecurved touchscreen 702 on one and/or both sides of the patient as wellas proximate to a head of the patient.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative view 800 of the ultrasound imagingsystem 700 having a repositioned curved touchscreen 702 relative to aposition of the curved touchscreen 702 as shown in FIG. 7. For example,prior to and/or during a select ultrasound examination procedure theuser may move or traverse the curved touchscreen 702 along the supportrail 732 to a different position along an arrow 802. The arrow 802follows a shape of the support rail 732. Optionally, the position handle712 may be used by the user to adjust a position of the curvedtouchscreen 702 along the support rail 732. For example, the user mayreposition the curved touchscreen 702 when activating a trigger (e.g.,the first trigger 226, the second trigger 228) on the position handle712.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an ultrasound imaging system 900 (e.g.,the ultrasound imaging system 200, the ultrasound imaging system 700),in accordance with an embodiment. It should be noted that one or morecomponents described in relation to the ultrasound imaging system 900may be included within the curved touchscreen 202, 702, the movable cart214, the support body 726, or the like. In at least one embodiment, theultrasound imaging system 900 includes an ultrasound probe 926 having atransmitter 922 and probe/SAP electronics 910. The ultrasound probe 926is communicatively coupled to the controller circuit 936. It should benoted that the ultrasound probe 926 may be similar and/or identical tothe ultrasound probe 518 described in connection with FIG. 5. Thetransmitter 922 transmits a signal to a transmit beamformer 921 which inturn drives the transducer elements 924 within the transducer array 912.The transducer elements 924 emit pulsed ultrasonic signals into apatient (e.g., a body). A variety of a geometries and configurations maybe used for the array 912. Further, the array 912 of transducer elements924 may be provided as part of, for example, different types ofultrasound probes.

The transducer elements 924, for example piezoelectric crystals, emitpulsed ultrasonic signals into a body (e.g., patient) or volume. Theultrasonic signals may include, for example, one or more referencepulses, one or more pushing pulses (e.g., shear-waves), and/or one ormore tracking pulses. At least a portion of the pulsed ultrasonicsignals back-scatter from a region of interest (ROI) (e.g., breasttissues, liver tissues, cardiac tissues, prostate tissues, and the like)to produce echoes. The echoes are delayed in time according to a depth,and are received by the transducer elements 924 within the transducerarray 912. The ultrasonic signals may be used for imaging, forgenerating and/or tracking shear-waves, for measuring differences incompression displacement of the tissue (e.g., strain), and/or fortherapy, among other uses. For example, the probe 926 may deliver lowenergy pulses during imaging and tracking, medium to high energy pulsesto generate shear-waves, and high energy pulses during therapy.

The transducer array 912 may have a variety of array geometries andconfigurations for the transducer elements 924 which may be provided aspart of, for example, different types of ultrasound probes. Theprobe/SAP electronics 910 may be used to control the switching of thetransducer elements 924. The probe/SAP electronics 910 may also be usedto group the transducer elements 924 into one or more sub-apertures.

The transducer elements 924 convert the received echo signals intoelectrical signals which may be received by a receiver 928. Theelectrical signals representing the received echoes are passed through areceive beamformer 930, which performs beamforming on the receivedechoes and outputs a radio frequency (RF) signal. The RF signal is thenprovided to an RF processor 932 that processes the RF signal.Alternatively, the RF processor 932 may include a complex demodulator(not shown) that demodulates the RF signal to form IQ data pairsrepresentative of the echo signals. The RF or IQ signal data may then beprovided directly to a memory 934 for storage (e.g., temporary storage).Optionally, the output of the beamformer 930 may be passed directly to acontroller circuit 936.

The ultrasound imaging system 900 also includes a processor or thecontroller circuit 936 to process the acquired ultrasound information(e.g., RF signal data or IQ data pairs) and prepare frames of ultrasoundinformation for display on the display 938. The controller circuit 936may include one or more separate processing components. For example, thecontroller circuit 936 may include a central processing unit (CPU), amicroprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU), or any otherelectronic component capable of processing inputted data according tospecific logical instructions. Having the controller circuit 936 thatincludes a GPU may be advantageous for computation-intensive operations,such as volume-rendering.

The controller circuit 936 is adapted to perform one or more processingoperations according to a plurality of selectable ultrasound modalitieson the acquired ultrasound information. Acquired ultrasound informationmay be processed in real-time during a scanning or therapy session asthe echo signals are received. Additionally or alternatively, theultrasound information may be stored temporarily in the memory 934during a scanning session and processed in less than real-time in a liveor off-line operation.

The ultrasound imaging system 900 may include a memory 940 for storingprocessed frames of acquired ultrasound information that are notscheduled to be displayed immediately or to store post-processed images(e.g., shear-wave images, strain images). The memory device 940 mayinclude flash memory, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, or the like.

Additionally or alternatively, the memory 940 may include one or moreexamination chair position configurations that correspond to one or moreselect ultrasound examination procedures. For example, the memory 940may include a position database. The position database may include aplurality of examination chair positions with a corresponding ultrasoundexamination procedure. The position database may be used by thecontroller circuit 936 to compare the one or more selected ultrasoundexamination procedures, received from a user interface 942, to one ormore corresponding examination chair positions (e.g., the examinationchair 720). For example, the controller circuit 936 may receiveinstructions to perform a cardiovascular examination from the userinterface 942. The controller circuit 936 compares the receivedinstructions with the one or more select ultrasound examinationprocedures stored on the position database. When the controller circuit936 matches the received instructions with the one or more selectedultrasound examination procedures, the controller circuit 936 may outputand/or instruct a position controller circuit 901 to reposition theexamination chair to the corresponding position.

The position controller circuit 901 may include hardware, such as aprocessor, controller, or other logic-based devices and/or a combinationof hardware and software which is used to control one or more electricmotors to reposition one or more corresponding portions of theexamination chair. For example, the position controller circuit 901 maybe used to adjust a position of a base (e.g., the base 728) therebychanging a vertical height of the examination chair. In another example,the position controller circuit 901 may be used to adjust a position ofan adjustable backrest (e.g., the adjustable backrest 722) therebyadjusting a patient to a lying or sitting position.

Optionally, the ultrasound imaging system 900 may include an RFinterface 903. The RF interface 903 may include a receiver, atransmitter and a receiver (e.g., a transceiver), or the like. The RFinterface 903 may be configured to receive information using a nearfield communication (NFC) protocol. Optionally, the RF interface 903 maybe configured to transmit information using the NFC protocol. The NFCprotocol may be a short range wireless communication protocol defined inISO/IEC 18092/ECMA-340, ISO/IEC 21481/ECMA-352, ISO/IEC 14443, or thelike. The RF interface 903 may include hardware, such as a processor,controller, or other logic-based device to detect and/or decodeinformation of an RF signal received by an antenna (not shown). The RFsignal may include information associated with and/or corresponding to aselect ultrasound examination procedure. Once the RF signal is receivedby the RF interface 903, the RF interface 903 may output the RF signalto the controller circuit 936. The controller circuit 936 may partitionselect information, such as the select ultrasound examination procedure,from the RF signal and compare the partitioned information to theposition database stored on memory 940.

For example, a patient and/or user may have an NFC token, NFC bracelet,or the like that transmits an RF signal corresponding to at least aselect ultrasound examination procedure scheduled for the patient. Theselect ultrasound examination procedure may be received by thecontroller circuit 936 through the RF interface 903. The controllercircuit 936 compares the received select ultrasound examinationprocedure with the one or more select ultrasound examination proceduresstored on the position database. When the controller circuit 936 matchesthe received ultrasound examination procedure with the one or moreselected ultrasound examination procedures on the memory 940, thecontroller circuit 936 may output and/or instruct the positioncontroller circuit 901 to reposition the examination chair to thecorresponding position.

The position tracking circuit 948 tracks a position of the probe 926 andcommunicates the position to the controller circuit 936 as describedabove. Optionally, the controller circuit 936 may associate or correlatethe ROI data acquisition location of the probe 926 with the acquisitionof data corresponding to the SEI and/or SWEI, respectively, in the imagememory 940.

The controller circuit 936 is connected to a curved touchscreen 902. Thecurved touchscreen 902 may be similar and/or identical to the curvedtouchscreens 202 and 702. The curved touchscreen 902 includes a userinterface 942 and a display 938. The user interface 942 controlsoperation of the controller circuit 936 and is configured to receiveinputs from the user. The user interface 942 may include a GUI (e.g.,the GUI 504, 508, 510) generated by the controller circuit 936 with oneor more user selectable icons, which are selected by the user. Thecurved touchscreen 902 may present patient information, includingdiagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound images to the user for review,diagnosis, analysis, and treatment. The curved touchscreen 902 maydisplay, for example, one or more 2D, 3D, or 4D ultrasound data setsstored in the memory 934 or 940 or currently being acquired. One or bothof the memory 934 and the memory 940 may store 3D data sets of theultrasound data (e.g., shear-wave data, strain data), where such 3D datasets are accessed to present 2D and 3D images. For example, a 3Dultrasound data set may be mapped into the corresponding memory 934 or940, as well as one or more reference planes. The processing of thedata, including the data sets, may be based in part on user inputs, forexample, user selections received at the user interface 942.

The controller circuit 936 is configured to analyze ultrasound signalsto obtain the SEI and/or SWEI of the ROI. Furthermore, the controllercircuit 936 may also automatically differentiate tissue of the ROI fromnon-ROI tissue. The controller circuit 936 may also be configured toreceive user imaging commands for highlighting or outlining the image, adisplay layout (e.g., side-by-side, overlaid), or otherwise providing anoverlay that indicates the ROI within the SEI and/or SWEI.

The controller circuit 936 may be configured to control the probe 926 byhaving the probe 926 enter into diagnostic or imaging modes such as ashear-wave mode or a strain mode based on one or more instructionsreceived from the user interface 942. For example, the controllercircuit 936 may control the probe 926 to enter the shear-wave mode. Oncethe probe 926 is in the shear-wave mode, the probe 926 may be controlledto deliver a pushing pulse to generate a shear-wave within the ROIautomatically within a predetermined time frame or by the user using theuser interface 942.

In operation, the ultrasound imaging system 900 acquires data, forexample, volumetric data sets by various techniques (e.g., 3D scanning,real-time 3D imaging, volume scanning, 2D scanning with transducershaving positioning sensors, freehand scanning using a voxel correlationtechnique, scanning using 2D or matrix array transducers, or the like).The data may be acquired by moving the probe 926, such as along a linearor curvilinear path, while scanning the ROI. At each linear or arcuateposition, the probe 926 obtains scan planes that are stored in thememory 934.

The ultrasound imaging system 900 may include a shear-wave-generatingcircuit 923 that is operatively coupled to the controller circuit 936 ora sub-circuit of the controller circuit 936. The shear-wave generatingcircuit 923 is configured to control the probe 926 when the probe 926 isoperated in a shear-wave mode. While in the shear-wave mode, theshear-wave generating circuit 923 may control the probe 926 to generatea shear wave at a site within the ROI of the patient. Theshear-wave-generating circuit 923 may control the probe 926 or, moreparticularly, the transducer elements 924 to direct a shear-wavegenerating or pushing pulse(s) toward the predetermined site to generatethe shear-wave. Alternatively, the shear-wave generating circuit 923 maycontrol another device capable of generating shear-waves having theprobe 926 measure or track the velocity as the shear-wave passes throughthe ROI. For example, the shear-wave-generating circuit 923 may controla therapy transducer, a mechanical actuator, or an audio device togenerate the shear waves.

The ultrasound imaging system 900 also includes a strain circuit 925that is operatively coupled to the controller circuit 936 or asub-circuit of the controller circuit 936. The strain circuit 925 isconfigured to control the probe 926 when the probe 926 operated in astrain mode. While in the strain mode, the strain circuit 925 maycontrol the probe 926 to generate a mechanical (e.g., surface vibration,freehand or step quasi-static surface displacement, or the like) orradiation force on the patient or ROI to measure the stiffness or strainof the ROI of the patient. Alternatively, the strain circuit 925 maycontrol another device capable of generating a mechanical force on thepatient or the ROI. For example, a low frequency mechanical vibrator maybe applied to the skin surface and the compression motion induced in theunderlying tissue, such as on the ROI, is measured by the probe 926.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary block diagram of the controller circuit 936. Thecontroller circuit 936 is illustrated in FIG. 10 conceptually as acollection of circuits, but may be implemented utilizing any combinationof dedicated hardware boards, DSPs, one or more processors, or the like.Alternatively, the circuit 936 may be implemented utilizing anoff-the-shelf PC with a single processor or multiple processors, withthe functional operations distributed between the processors. As afurther option, the circuit 936 may be implemented utilizing a hybridconfiguration in which certain modular functions are performed utilizingdedicated hardware, while the remaining modular functions are performedutilizing an off-the-shelf PC and the like. The circuit 936 also may beimplemented as software circuits within a processing unit.

The circuits 952-966 perform mid-processor operations representing oneor more software features of the ultrasound imaging system 900. Thecontroller circuit 936 may receive ultrasound data 970 in one of severalforms. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the received ultrasound data 970constitutes IQ data pairs representing the real and imaginary componentsassociated with each data sample. The IQ data pairs are provided to oneor more circuits, for example, a color-flow circuit 952, an acousticradiation force imaging (ARFI) circuit 954, a B-mode circuit 956, aspectral Doppler circuit 958, an acoustic streaming circuit 960, atissue Doppler circuit 962, a tracking circuit 964, and an elastographycircuit 966. Other circuits may be included, such as an M-mode circuit,power Doppler circuit, among others. However, embodiments describedherein are not limited to processing IQ data pairs. For example,processing may be done with RF data and/or using other methods.Furthermore, data may be processed through multiple circuits.

Each of circuits 952-966 is configured to process the IQ data pairs in acorresponding manner to generate, respectively, color-flow data 973,ARFI data 974, B-mode data 976, spectral Doppler data 978, acousticstreaming data 980, tissue Doppler data 982, tracking data 984 (e.g.,ROI data acquisition location), elastography data 986 (e.g., straindata, shear-wave data), among others, all of which may be stored in amemory 990 (or memory 934 or memory 940 shown in FIG. 9) temporarilybefore subsequent processing. The data 973-986 may be stored, forexample, as sets of vector data values, where each set defines anindividual ultrasound image frame. The vector data values are generallyorganized based on the polar coordinate system.

A scan converter circuit 992 accesses and obtains from the memory 990the vector data values associated with an image frame and converts theset of vector data values to Cartesian coordinates to generate anultrasound image frame 993 formatted for display. The ultrasound imageframes 993 generated by the scan converter circuit 992 may be providedback to the memory 990 for subsequent processing or may be provided tothe memory 934 or the memory 940. Once the scan converter circuit 992generates the ultrasound image frames 993 associated with the data, theimage frames may be stored in the memory 990 or communicated over a bus999 to a database (not shown), the memory 934, the memory 940, and/or toother processors (not shown).

The display circuit 998 accesses and obtains one or more of the imageframes from the memory 990 or from the memory 934 and/or the memory 940over the bus 999 to display the images onto the display 938. The displaycircuit 998 receives user input from the user interface 942 selectingone or image frames to be displayed that are stored on memory (e.g., thememory 990) and/or selecting a display layout or configuration for theimage frames.

The display circuit 998 may include a 2D video processor circuit 994.The 2D video processor circuit 994 may be used to combine one or more ofthe frames generated from the different types of ultrasound information.Successive frames of images may be stored as a cine loop (4D images) inthe memory 990 or memory 940. The cine loop represents a first in, firstout circular image buffer to capture image data that is displayed inreal-time to the user. The user may freeze the cine loop by entering afreeze command at the user interface 942.

The display circuit 998 may include a 3D processor circuit 996. The 3Dprocessor circuit 996 may access the memory 990 to obtain spatiallyconsecutive groups of ultrasound image frames and to generatethree-dimensional image representations thereof, such as through volumerendering or surface rendering algorithms as are known. Thethree-dimensional images may be generated utilizing various imagingtechniques, such as ray-casting, maximum intensity pixel projection andthe like.

The display circuit 998 may include a graphic circuit 997. The graphiccircuit 997 may access the memory 990 to obtain groups of ultrasoundimage frames and the ROI data acquisition locations that have beenstored or that are currently being acquired. The graphic circuit 997 maygenerate images that include the images of the ROI and a graphicalrepresentation positioned (e.g., overlaid) onto the images of the ROI.The graphical representation may represent an outline of a treatmentspace, the focal point or region of the therapy beam, a path taken bythe focal region within the treatment space, a probe used during thesession, the ROI data acquisition location, and the like. Graphicalrepresentations may also be used to indicate the progress of the therapysession. The graphical representations may be generated using a savedgraphical image or drawing (e.g., computer graphic generated drawing),or the graphical representation may be directly drawn by the user ontothe image using a GUI of the user interface 942.

FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart of a method 1100 for initiating a selectultrasound examination procedure using an ultrasound imaging system(e.g., the ultrasound imaging systems 200, 700, and/or 900), inaccordance with various embodiments described herein. The method 1100,for example, may employ structures or aspects of various embodiments(e.g., systems and/or methods) discussed herein. In various embodiments,certain steps (or operations) may be omitted or added, certain steps maybe combined, certain steps may be performed simultaneously, certainsteps may be performed concurrently, certain steps may be split intomultiple steps, certain steps may be performed in a different order, orcertain steps or series of steps may be re-performed in an iterativefashion. In various embodiments, portions, aspects, and/or variations ofthe method 1100 may be used as one or more algorithms to direct hardwareto perform one or more operations described herein. It should be noted,other methods may be used, in accordance with embodiments herein.

Beginning at 1102, an eye height 602 of the user is detected. Forexample, the eye tracking module 904 may be configured to determine theeye height 602 with respect to the image acquisition unit 506 based onone or more features of the eye.

At 1104 a vertical position of the first interface section 204 isadjusted based on the eye height 602.

At 1106 and select ultrasound examination procedure is received. Forexample, the select ultrasound examination procedure may correspond toand/or be included within an RF signal received by the RF interface 903.In another example, the select ultrasound examination procedure may bereceived by the curved touchscreen 202 from the user selection of one ormore user selectable icons included within a GUI 504, 508, 510 (e.g.,the user interface 942).

At 1108 a configuration of the examination chair 720 is adjustedcorresponding to the select ultrasound examination procedure.

At 1110 a GUI (e.g., the GUI 504, 508, 510) is reconfigured based on theselect ultrasound examination procedure. For example, the one or moreuser selectable icons 511 shown on the second interface section 206 maybe reconfigured based from the one or more acquisition settings for theultrasound probe 518 selected from the user selectable icons 505 on thethird interface section 208.

At 1112 ultrasonic pulses are admitted by the ultrasound probe 518 basedon the select ultrasound examination procedure.

It should be noted that the curved touchscreen 202 may be used invarious embodiments other than diagnostic medical imaging. For example,the curved touchscreen 202 may be used as a display for gaming (e.g.,computer games, video games, console games), automobiles, interface forautomatic teller machines, general user interface displays, and/or thelike

It should be noted that the various embodiments may be implemented inhardware, software or a combination thereof. The various embodimentsand/or components, for example, the modules, or components andcontrollers therein, also may be implemented as part of one or morecomputers or processors. The computer or processor may include acomputing device, an input device, a display unit and an interface, forexample, for accessing the Internet. The computer or processor mayinclude a microprocessor. The microprocessor may be connected to acommunication bus. The computer or processor may also include a memory.The memory may include Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory(ROM). The computer or processor further may include a storage device,which may be a hard disk drive or a removable storage drive such as asolid-state drive, optical disk drive, and the like. The storage devicemay also be other similar means for loading computer programs or otherinstructions into the computer or processor.

As used herein, the term “computer,” “subsystem” or “module” may includeany processor-based or microprocessor-based system including systemsusing microcontrollers, reduced instruction set computers (RISC), ASICs,logic circuits, and any other circuit or processor capable of executingthe functions described herein. The above examples are exemplary only,and are thus not intended to limit in any way the definition and/ormeaning of the term “computer”.

The computer or processor executes a set of instructions that are storedin one or more storage elements, in order to process input data. Thestorage elements may also store data or other information as desired orneeded. The storage element may be in the form of an information sourceor a physical memory element within a processing machine.

The set of instructions may include various commands that instruct thecomputer or processor as a processing machine to perform specificoperations such as the methods and processes of the various embodiments.The set of instructions may be in the form of a software program. Thesoftware may be in various forms such as system software or applicationsoftware and which may be embodied as a tangible and non-transitorycomputer readable medium. Further, the software may be in the form of acollection of separate programs or modules, a program module within alarger program or a portion of a program module. The software also mayinclude modular programming in the form of object-oriented programming.The processing of input data by the processing machine may be inresponse to operator commands, or in response to results of previousprocessing, or in response to a request made by another processingmachine.

As used herein, a structure, limitation, or element that is “configuredto” perform a task or operation is particularly structurally formed,constructed, or adapted in a manner corresponding to the task oroperation. For purposes of clarity and the avoidance of doubt, an objectthat is merely capable of being modified to perform the task oroperation is not “configured to” perform the task or operation as usedherein. Instead, the use of “configured to” as used herein denotesstructural adaptations or characteristics, and denotes structuralrequirements of any structure, limitation, or element that is describedas being “configured to” perform the task or operation. For example, aprocessing unit, processor, or computer that is “configured to” performa task or operation may be understood as being particularly structuredto perform the task or operation (e.g., having one or more programs orinstructions stored thereon or used in conjunction therewith tailored orintended to perform the task or operation, and/or having an arrangementof processing circuitry tailored or intended to perform the task oroperation). For the purposes of clarity and the avoidance of doubt, ageneral purpose computer (which may become “configured to” perform thetask or operation if appropriately programmed) is not “configured to”perform a task or operation unless or until specifically programmed orstructurally modified to perform the task or operation.

As used herein, the terms “software” and “firmware” are interchangeable,and include any computer program stored in memory for execution by acomputer, including RAM memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory,and non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) memory. The above memory types areexemplary only, and are thus not limiting as to the types of memoryusable for storage of a computer program.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-describedembodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination witheach other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the variousembodiments without departing from their scope. While the dimensions andtypes of materials described herein are intended to define theparameters of the various embodiments, they are by no means limiting andare merely exemplary. Many other embodiments will be apparent to thoseof skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope ofthe various embodiments should, therefore, be determined with referenceto the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents towhich such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms“including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents ofthe respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in thefollowing claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. areused merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numericalrequirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the followingclaims are not written in means-plus-function format and are notintended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless and untilsuch claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed bya statement of function void of further structure.

This written description uses examples to disclose the variousembodiments, including the best mode, and also to enable any personskilled in the art to practice the various embodiments, including makingand using any devices or systems and performing any incorporatedmethods. The patentable scope of the various embodiments is defined bythe claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilledin the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope ofthe claims if the examples have structural elements that do not differfrom the literal language of the claims, or the examples includeequivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from theliteral language of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ultrasound imaging system comprising: anultrasound probe configured to acquire ultrasound data for a region ofinterest; a controller circuit communicatively coupled to the ultrasoundprobe configured to generate one or more ultrasound images from theultrasound data; and a curved touchscreen shaped to extend along acurvature angle, the curved touchscreen including a first interfacesection, a second interface section, and a third interface sectionformed integral with one another, wherein the first interface sectionand the third interface section are positioned at different displayangles with respect to each other, the first interface sectionconfigured to display the one or more ultrasound images, and wherein atleast one of the second and third interface sections includes one ormore user selectable icons to control at least one of the ultrasoundprobe and the controller circuit.
 2. The ultrasound imaging system ofclaim 1, wherein one of the one or more user selectable iconscorresponds to an acquisition setting of the ultrasound probe.
 3. Theultrasound imaging system of claim 2, wherein the one of the one or moreuser selectable icons corresponds to at least one of the following:adjusting a sensitivity of the ultrasound probe, initiating anultrasonic pulse of the ultrasound probe, and adjusting the ultrasonicpulse of the ultrasound probe.
 4. The ultrasound imaging system of claim1, wherein one of the one or more user selectable icons corresponds tofreezing at least one of the one or more ultrasound images displayed onthe first interface section.
 5. The ultrasound imaging system of claim1, wherein one of the one or more user selectable icons is configured toapply a measurement function on at least one of the one or moreultrasound images displayed on the first interface section.
 6. Theultrasound imaging system of claim 5, wherein the measurement functionis a caliper.
 7. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 1, wherein oneof the one or more user selectable icons is configured to adjust a viewof one of the one or more ultrasound images displayed on the firstinterface section.
 8. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 7, whereinthe one of the one or more user selectable icons is configured to adjusta resolution of the one of the one or more ultrasound images displayedon the first interface section.
 9. The ultrasound imaging system ofclaim 7, wherein the one of the one or more user selectable icons isconfigured to zoom in on the one of the one or more ultrasound imagesdisplayed on the first interface section.
 10. The ultrasound imagingsystem of claim 1, wherein the first interface section, the secondinterface section, and the third interface section correspond to asingle organic light emitting diode display.
 11. The ultrasound imagingsystem of claim 1, wherein the curved touchscreen is flexible, andwherein the curvature angle of the curved touchscreen may be adjusted byat least one of reducing or increasing the curvature angle of the curvedtouchscreen.
 12. A portable ultrasound imaging system comprising: anultrasound probe configured to acquire ultrasound data from a region ofinterest; a controller circuit communicatively coupled to the ultrasoundprobe configured to generate one or more ultrasound images from theultrasound data; a movable cart having a plurality of wheels; a curvedtouchscreen shaped to extend along a curvature angle, the curvedtouchscreen comprising a first interface section, a second interfacesection, and a third interface section formed integral with one another,wherein the first interface section and the third interface section arepositioned at different display angles with respect to each other, thefirst interface section configured to display one or more ultrasoundimages, and wherein at least one of the second and third interfacesections includes one or more user selectable icons to control at leastone of the ultrasound probe and the controller circuit; and an arm mountcoupled to the curved touchscreen and the movable cart, the arm mountconfigured to adjust a vertical position and a rotational position ofthe curved touchscreen with respect to the movable cart.
 13. Theportable ultrasound imaging system of claim 12, wherein one of the oneor more user selectable icons is configured to adjust an ultrasonicpulse of the ultrasound probe.
 14. The portable ultrasound imagingsystem of claim 12, wherein one of the one or more user selectable iconsis configured to adjust a view of one of the one or more ultrasoundimages displayed on the first interface section.
 15. The portableultrasound imaging system of claim 12, wherein the curved touchscreen isflexible, and wherein the curvature angle of the curved touchscreen maybe adjusted by at least one of reducing or increasing the curvatureangle of the curved touchscreen.
 16. An ultrasound imaging systemcomprising: an examination chair having a support rail positioned arounda head portion of the examination chair; an ultrasound probe configuredto acquire ultrasound data from a region of interest; a controllercircuit communicatively coupled to the ultrasound probe configured togenerate one or more ultrasound images from the ultrasound data; acurved touchscreen shaped to extend along a curvature angle, the curvedtouchscreen comprising a first interface section, a second interfacesection, and a third interface section formed integral with one another,wherein the first interface section and the third interface section arepositioned at different display angles with respect to each other, thefirst interface section configured to display one or more ultrasoundimages and wherein at least one of the second and the third interfacesection includes one or more user selectable icons to control at leastone of the ultrasound probe and the controller circuit; and an arm mountcoupled to the curved touchscreen and the support rail of theexamination chair, wherein the arm mount is traversable along thesupport rail.
 17. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 16, wherein oneof the one or more user selectable icons corresponds to an acquisitionsetting of the ultrasound probe.
 18. The ultrasound imaging system ofclaim 16, wherein one of the one or more user selectable icons isconfigured to control the controller circuit.
 19. The ultrasound imagingsystem of claim 16, wherein one of the one or more user selectable iconsis configured to freeze at least one of the one or more ultrasoundimages displayed on the first interface section.
 20. The ultrasoundimaging system of claim 16, wherein the curved touchscreen is flexibleand wherein the curvature angle of the curved touchscreen may beadjusted by at least one of reducing or increasing the curvature angleof the curved touchscreen.